Chapter 9 #2
“I am sorry. You are mistaken. I did not request a—”
“It was booked by Lord Velde, room ten. Here is the key.”
“How do you know it is for me?”
“Well sir, those two men are locals, and you are the only other man in here.”
“I see. Well, thank you . . . um, my horse?”
“Taken to the stable. My husband is having a stable boy feed and groom her, as Lord Velde instructed.”
“Thank you. How many rooms?”
“Just the one, sir. He said you would have returned from a long journey and would be in need of a good night’s sleep before you continued on.”
Alex peered out of the window and caught sight of the towering castle silhouetted in the distance.
“Here you are then. It’s through that door behind the bar and up those stairs.”
Alex took the key from her and headed up.
Alex opened the door to the small room, his eyes adjusting to the dim lighting.
He could just make out a large bed, a side table, a washing basin, and a drawing table with a large bottle of rum placed upon it.
Intrigued, he entered the room, walked over to the dressing table, and found a candle next to the opened bottle of rum and two silver goblets.
He lit the candlewick with one of the matches placed beside it then turned to get a better view of the room.
He jumped with fright, almost dropping the candle, when he realized he was not alone.
“Daumia! How could you have traveled here so quickly? I did not see you enter the tavern.”
“Oh, Alex, questions, questions. You really are a frightful bore sometimes. I left shortly after you and came in through the back,” I said.
“I see.”
I walked passed him, moving toward the dressing table. I poured rum into the two goblets, filling them to the top and picking up one, handed it to Alex.
“I have just had some wine.” He accepted the silver cup. “I do not need anything more to drink.”
“Really? Well, for what I have planned for you, I would recommend at least a sip. No?” I took the vessel from him, placing it down on the side table. I turned toward him and commenced unbuttoning his shirt, silently.
Alex stood, chest bare, though apparently relieved that his breeches and boots remained.
He watched me place his shirt on the back of a chair.
I returned the cup of rum to him. He gulped down the liquor.
The thick rum burned his throat and as I walked away from him toward the dressing table, Alex’s expression reflected the discomfort of the rum.
“How is your drink?” I smiled before facing him again, just in time for my young friend to recompose himself.
“Wonderful,” he rasped, his throat burning.
“Good.”
A knock at the door startled him. Alex reached for his shirt.
I pulled it from his hands, placing it back behind the chair. “Come in,” I said.
The door opened.
Alex was surprised to see a young woman appear.
She closed the door behind her. Alex withdrew toward the window self-consciously, looking at the young female.
Her age was similar to his own. She wore the dress of a servant girl, her mousey hair flowing around her face, tied at the nape of her neck in a bun.
Her waist was small, her breasts large. Alex glanced at me as I leaned against the wall by the door.
With a nod, I permitted the girl to proceed.
She followed my direction and approached Alex, who by now understood the scenario.
She knelt down at his feet and pulled at one of his boots. Alex lifted his foot in order to help her. Calmly, she tugged at his other boot. I approached him and topped up his cup. Alex gulped the rum. I backed up and leaned against the wall, again fixing my gaze on Alex.
Alex begged me with his eyes to stop her. “Daumia, this—”
“In front of you?” His silent words.
The girl, unabashed, undressed him. She pulled his arm and pushed him onto the bed.
With a nod of confirmation, I gave permission for the scene to unfold before me.
She glanced up at me for permission to continue. With a nod from me, she too undressed.
The great castle was visible from the window. Deciphering the information that Alex had provided, it was evident that his father Lord Artimas was indeed the Stone Master. I was so close now I could almost taste the Grand Master’s blood.
My eyes wandered back to Alex and his harlot.
Strolling over to them, I topped up Alex’s goblet, which stood empty on the side table next to the bed.
Peering down at the girl, I reached over to pull out her hair tie, freeing her curls to cascade over her face and shoulders. Perspiration shimmered over her body.
Face flushed, Alex glanced at the cup of rum on the side table again, not reaching for it but wishing he could.
She straddled him.
“Allow me?” I said, reaching for Alex’s cock and with a gentle swiftness, positioning his tip at her entrance and gliding it into her. My fingers tracing her clit as I went, eliciting the deepest sigh—from both—inspiring this sensual scene.
This moment transmuting into something vast and unnameable, sensual and enthralling, drawing us beyond our delicate friendship, that was new and fragile, into a place of surrender.
While she rode Alex, rising and falling with her hair tumbling over her face, I reached for her waist and directed her pace, slowing her, showing how to pleasure him with the rocking of her hips, followed by a forced pounding as I held her shoulders to control the rhythm.
“Very good,” I coaxed, reaching for her breasts, and squeezing her nipples, one and then the other. Showing Alex that she liked this until his hands slipped where mine had been.
Perspiration shimmered over her body.
My thoughts shimmied over Sunaria’s memory. Her voice finding me in the shadows. Take my revenge, my love, show them how exquisite it can be—then snatch their lives without mercy.
Soon.
I leaned toward him, running my fingers through his hair, ruffling it playfully. A mentor proud of this student, admiring his sensual gifts.
I backed off and sat down in the corner chair, watching on as the two mortals thundered toward ecstasy. Admiring the image, I savored the sensuous ambience and brought my cup to my lips, breathing in the full exotic aroma of the thick, warm rum.
It was like witnessing art come alive, a beauty so effortless it stole both breath and thought.
When it was over and Alex was sated, I ordered the girl to leave. She curtsied, accepting several silver coins from me before exiting. Alex lay naked upon the bed, breathless and entirely vulnerable. He was besotted with me. His seduction was complete.
I handed Alex his shirt and sat beside him, buttoning it up for him in silence. When he was ready, we headed out of the room and down into the dark tavern.
“Wait here for me,” I instructed him. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
I headed out into the night, hungry and intending on feeding quickly before returning to my protégé.
Alex sat in the darkest corner of the tavern. With nothing other than his thoughts to keep him company, his musing would soon turn to me. With my hunger satisfied, I returned to find him sulking, bothered that he had been left alone for so long.
“Why could I not come with you?” Alex asked.
I sat opposite him, my cheeks apparently flushed from my feed. “Must you spend every moment with me?” I asked.
Alex frowned.
Someone was staring at me. I turned, surprised to see the young cabin boy Samuel staring back. On recognizing the child, he reminded me of my journey from Spain.
“Daumia?” Alex vied for my attention.
I had only been able to extract and interpret a few mental fragments from the boy’s thoughts, realizing that he knew what I was, but unable to ascertain how.
“Daumia?”
“What?” I said.
“You seem distracted.”
“I was considering your father’s invitation. Inform him I’d be delighted to attend St. Michael’s Ball.”
Alex beamed.
I wanted to run after the young child, though realized how such an imprudent act would appear. I had to let him go.
“I will send my servant with an official reply.” I turned my attention to Alex again.
“I’m looking forward to introducing you to Jadeon,” Alex said.
“I’m also looking forward to meeting the young Lord Artimas. I’m sure we have much to discuss.”
“And the art collection. I promised to show you that.”
“Just to spend an evening in your company gives me the greatest pleasure, but if you wish to flatter me with such introductions and a tour of the castle, I am honored.”
“It is my pleasure.” Alex smiled.
“Talking of pleasure, tell me what it was about tonight that you found most pleasing.”
Alex blushed.
I ordered more rum.